AND so the Ricky Sbragia bandwagon keeps rolling on. Two wins on the bounce have not only lifted Sunderland clear of the relegation zone - they have also pressed the caretaker manager's claims for the managerial job on a permanent basis.

There might have been an element of luck about the deflected second-half strike that put Sunderland ahead for a second time, but there was little doubting that the Black Cats deserved their second away win of the season.

Displaying the same invention and commitment they had produced against West Brom seven days earlier, the Wearsiders deservedly brushed aside a Hull team that had gone five games without defeat.

And while the players must take much of the credit for turning things around in recent weeks, Sbragia also deserves praise for his efforts since Roy Keane's departures.

Naming an unbeaten starting line-up - something that Keane hardly ever did - the Scotsman saw his side maintain the standards they had set against the Baggies.

Steed Malbranque, scorer of the first goal, was inventive throughout, while Kenwyne Jones capped a magnificently inventive attacking display with a precise near-post header to score Sunderland's third.

Inbetween times, Kieran Richardson's long-range strike took a hefty deflection off Kamil Zayette that wrong-footed goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, and Djibril Cisse rounded off an excellent win with a last-minute fourth.

Suddenly, Sunderland find themselves three points clear of the relegation zone. Much more of this, and Niall Quinn will have to give Sbragia the job on a permanent basis.